Beck Academy International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme

1. Beck AcademyInternational Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme

2. What is a Magnet Academy? A magnet academy offers a theme or focus that is designed to give students an opportunity to explore a special interest, gift, talent, or skill. A magnet school may offer more than one magnet strand. Beck offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme

3. Magnet academies are designed to create an educational environment which responds to student interests, celebrates cultural and ethnic diversity, and fosters student achievement. A magnet academy offers a theme or focus that is designed to give students an opportunity to explore a special interest, gift, talent, or skill. What Is a Magnet Academy Designed to Do?

4. Students participate in the magnet theme and meet students from different areas of the district who also share an interest in the school’s magnet theme. While some similar courses may be offered in traditional schools, magnet schools attract students by offering unique and expanded opportunities for in-depth experiences and study in specific areas of interest. What Are the Advantages of Attending a Magnet Academy?

5. The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme What is Beck Academy’s Magnet Focus?

6. IB MYP Programme Mission • The IB MYP Programme • Aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect • Works with schools to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment

7. IB MYP Programme Mission • Encourages students to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right

8. The IB MYP Programme Focus • Intercultural Awareness • Holistic Learning • Communication

9. IB MYP Programme Focus • The IB MYP Programme also focuses on developing students who are • Inquirers • Thinkers • Principled • Risk-Takers • Caring • Knowledgeable • Communicators • Open-Minded • Balanced • Reflective

10. IB MYP Programme Curriculum

11. Areas of Interaction • Students study the eight core subjects through the Areas of Interaction • The Areas of Interaction help students • Explore subject matter • See connections between subjects • Forge meaningful links between subject content and the real world • Understand that knowledge is an interrelated whole

12. Areas of Interaction • The five Areas of Interaction are • Approaches to Learning • Learning how to learn • Community and Service • Moving from “I” to “We” • Environments • Developing appreciation and responsibility for the world around us • Human Ingenuity • Creativity, systems, products, and solutions • Health and Social Education • Becoming healthy, happy, and informed

13. Interdisciplinary Studies and Unit Projects Community and Service Projects International Activities such as International Week Foreign Language Classes Student Led Conferences What Experiences Will My Child Have at Beck?

14. Students who apply and qualify during the first round have a greater chance of being offered a slot than those students who apply and qualify in later rounds. All qualified students from the first round are offered slots before any students from second round can be taken. It is very important to apply during the first round! Why Should I Apply in the First Round?

15. Beginning November 5, 2008 you may: Download an application and the Frequently Asked Questions document at www.gcsmagnetacademies.org Obtain an application at any magnet academy Obtain an application at the Service Center at the GCS Central Office on Camperdown Way Where Do I Find Magnet Academy Applications?

16. Applications are scored based on 4 criteria: Attendance Discipline GPA Student Statement Eligibility criteria are printed in the Frequently Asked Questions document and can be found at www.gcsmagnetacademies.org How Are Applications Scored?

17. Qualifying siblings are given priority Highest scores are accepted next until all slots are filled A lottery system is used when there are more qualifying applicants than available slots Applicants with the highest score are chosen first Applicants with the same score are arranged by a computer lottery Applicants are chosen in rank order by score until all slots are filled For more information on the selection process visit www.gcsmagnetacademies.org How Are Students Selected?

18. Submit a completed application to the school’s magnet coordinator by 12:00 noon before the close of the application window. First round window closes on December 5 The magnet academy will access your child’s attendance, discipline, and grade report from the district’s database. The Parent Checklist, page 1 of the application packet, outlines what specific documentation must be submitted. How Do I Apply if My Child Currently Attends a District School?

19. Submit a completed application to the school’s magnet coordinator by 12:00 noon before the close of the application window. First round window closes on December 5 Parent’s are responsible for submitting attendance, discipline, and grade reports to the school’s magnet coordinator. The Parent Checklist, page 1 of the application packet, outlines what specific documentation must be submitted. How Do I Apply if My Child is Not Enrolled in a District School?

20. Indicate your child’s transportation needs when completing the application. At the time of enrollment, you will complete a paper transportation form and submit it to the school magnet coordinator. How Do I Request Transportation?

21. Visit www.gcsmagnetacademies.org Contact the magnet school coordinator(s) at the schools in which you are interested. Romana Thomas, IB Coordinator/Magnet Academy Coordinator 355-1423 romthomas@greenville.k12.sc.us THANK YOU FOR VISITING BECK ACADEMY TODAY! What if I Have More Questions?